The transfer window is hurtling ever closer and with it the rumour mill is spinning ever faster with speculation rife about who could go where and for how much when it all gets underway again in January.

We will have all the latest news, views, opinion, rumour, whispers, water cooler chatter and everything in between throughout the day here so don’t touch that dial.

Key Events

Keown: It's only a matter of time before Saints lose Virgil Van Dijk

Since his arrival from Celtic, Virgil Van Dijk has been something of a revelation at the back for Southampton.

And Martin Keown thinks that it’s only a matter of time before the Dutchman makes the step up to one of the Premier League’s biggest teams.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, the former Arsenal defender said:

VIrgil Van Dijk has impressed me recently. I like the look of [him]. I’m sure he’ll be snapped up soon.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Real Madrid

Communication breakdown: Relationship between James and Zidane at all-time low

The relationship between James Rodriguez and Zinedine Zidane continues to deteriorate as the Colombian inches closer to the Bernabeu exit.

According to Marca, the forward has become increasingly frustrated at his lack of opportunities in the first team - even with injuries to Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

According to the paper, the former Monaco man is the third-least used player in Zidane’s squad - but Real are said to be reluctant to let him leave without recouping some of their 70 million euro outlay.

They also fear he wcould go on to establish himself as a top player at one of their European rivals.

However, as the situation between the 25-year-old and his manager continues to deteriorate, leading European clubs will be watching closely and prepapring rescue deals for the Colombian.

Jamie Carragher talks "inspirational" Steven Gerrard

Gerrard, 36, left LA Galaxy earlier this month and has now announced the end of his playing career.

“I fulfilled my childhood dream by pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool, and when I made my debut against Blackburn Rovers in November 1998 I could never have imagined what would then follow over the next 18 years.”

Now, speaking to Sky Sports, good friend Carragher has offered his views on the former Reds skipper.

Robinson new Charlton boss

Robinson left MK Dons earlier this month but has now taken over at the Valley.

Let’s hope he lasts a bit longer than his predecessors.

Joining such a huge club with a large, passionate fanbase is a really exciting proposition.

I’ve inherited a talented squad and I’ll be doing everything I can to get the club back into the Championship as soon as possible.

I like my teams to play attractive football and if we all pull together, I firmly believe we can start moving up the table and enjoy a successful season.

Manchester United

United gossip round-up

Manchester United target Victor Lindelof IS good enough to play for the Red Devils, according to compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Old Trafford giants have been linked with a swoop for the 22-year-old Benfica centre-half after his impressive displays in Portugal and for Sweden, report the Manchester Evening News.

“I think Victor is doing great things, he is playing good for Benfica, he gets a lot of responsibility for the national team now, he is growing,” Zlatan said.

“Is he good enough for United? I think he’s good enough for the big clubs out there. It’s up to him what he wants and what the situation says. Whatever he chooses will be good for him.

“I know he is hot on the market so let him make the right choice, what fits him good.”

(Image: AFP)

Arsenal

Arsenal gossip round-up

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has revealed he will finish his career with the Gunners, or back with former club Lorient.

The 31-year-old has more than two years remaining on his current deal at the Emirates with the club keen to extend his stay, according to Sky Sports.

Koscielny said: “It was Arsene Wenger who had the courage to buy me from Lorient when I was nobody. I’d had one year at an average club in Ligue 1 and he took a big punt in bringing me to one of the 10 biggest clubs in Europe.

“I am in the French national team thanks to the boss and I will be grateful to him my entire career. I will finish my career in England or at my old club Lorient but I love living in London.

“I was 24 when I arrived in England and I had never lived in a big town, so it was a big step into the unknown for me. But my family is happy, the people are calmer than in Paris and there is more respect.”

(Image: Stuart MacFarlane)

Chelsea

New deals for Blues duo

Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois were supposed to be looking for moves away from Chelsea but could be set to put pen to paper on new deals.

The Telegraph reports a “remarkable turnaround” under new manager Antonio Conte with the striker and goalkeeper wanting to stay at Stamford Bridge.

“With the pair contracted to Chelsea until 2019, there is no immediate rush for Chelsea to get them signed up to new deals but talks will open in the New Year,” writes Matt Law.

Ibrahimovic to stay

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Manchester United will take up the option to extend Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract.

The Swede agreed a one-year deal with United in the summer with the view to a further year.

And speaking ahead of the clash with Feyenoord, Mourinho confirmed Ibrahimovic will stay put.

He’s happy, he’s committed, he’s loving his life as football player at Man United and it’s the last big challenge of his wonderful career.

Joleon Lescott

Lescott's contract to be ripped up?

Joleon Lescott could have his AEK Athens contract ripped up – less than three months after signing it.

The defender joined the Greek club at the end of August after leaving Aston Villa.

Just four games into his adventure, Lescott suffered a detached cartilage in a knee and was ruled out for at least three months, with his potential spell on the sidelines even rising to six, reports the Daily Record.

Now the 34-year-old’s career has hit another low, with sources in Greece claiming Lescott and his club have fallen out over his rehabilitation programme.

(Image: Reuters / Stefan Wermuth)

Joe HartNeil McLeman

Latest on Hart's future

Torino want to keep Joe Hart until the next World Cup.

The England goalkeeper joined the Serie A club on loan until the end this season after getting dropped by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

But the Turin club have been so impressed by Hart’s performances and attitude that they want to extend his loan deal for another season.

Sports daily Tuttosport has claimed Torino chairman Urbano Cairo has discussed Hart’s future with sporting director Gianluca Petrachi and coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. And they have already contacted the goalkeeper’s agent Jonathan Barnett about asking City to extend the loan deal.

The Italian club want a long-term loan deal – like Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczęsny at Roma – as they cannot afford a permanent transfer.

The stumbling block will be the wages as City currently pay 70% of his £3.8m net salary but Torino are willing to negotiate and offer a large loan fee.

Hart, who turns 30 next April, is under contract in Manchester until 2019.

Torino are seventh in Serie A and are targetting Champions League football.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Didier DrogbaNeil McLeman

Drogba confirms Montreal exit

Didier Drogba has opened the door for another return to Chelsea by confirming he is leaving Montreal Impact.

The Blues legend, now 38, said he had played his last home match for the MLS side after the 3-2 win over Toronto in the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Ivory Coast striker ended his first spell with Chelsea by scoring the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final – and then returned for the 2014-15 season.

Still close to Roman Abramovich, caretaker coach Guus Hiddink tried to bring Drogba back to Stamford Bridge as an assistant coach last year before Montreal insisted he saw out his contract.

Drogba, who insisted he has not signed for another club, said: “Everyone knows it was my last game here. Now let’s focus on the semi-final.”

Andrea BelottiNeil McLeman

Belotti set for new deal

Manchester United target Andrea Belotti is set to sign a new contract at Torino with an £80m buyout clause.

The Italy striker is the joint top scorer in Serie A this season after finding the net 10 times in the first 11 games for Joe Hart’s side plus scoring three times for his national side.

Arsenal offered £30m for the 22-yearp-old in the summer while Claudio Ranieri is also a fan. But this season Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have been watching every performance of the player nicknamed Il Gallo (the rooster).

Now Torino have moved to offer a new £1.3m-a-year deal with Belotti until 2021 – with the record buyout clause which only applies to foreign clubs. Gazzetta dello Sport reports the new contract will be signed this week.

Napoli fans were furious this summer when Juventus paid the £76m buyout clause for Gonzalo Higuain.

(Image: Getty )

09:34

Gerrard not joining Melbourne

Former England captain Steven Gerrard will not be joining Melbourne Victory, the Australian A-League side’s manager Kevin Muscat has said.

He only burst onto the scene in Holland this season, but has already done enough to force his way into the Danish national side — and even inspire comparisons with former Ajax frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was spotted by the same scout.